Ear Warmer With a Substantially Continuous Surface

ABSTRACT

An ear warmer comprises a frame and a fabric member. The frame has an ear portion and a band portion. The ear portion of the frame includes a first side and a second side opposite the first side. The first side of the ear portion defines an interior portion of an opening. The second side of the ear portion defines an exterior portion of the opening. The fabric member includes at least its own ear portion coupled to the ear portion of the frame. The ear portion of the fabric member covers the interior portion of the opening in substantially its entirety and covers less than an entirety of the exterior portion of the opening.

CROSS-REFERENCES TO OTHER APPLICATIONS

This application is a divisional application of U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 10/638,476, entitled “Ear Warmer Having an External Frame,”filed Aug. 12, 2003, Attorney Docket No. 0100.0020C, the entiredisclosure of which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.This application is related to U.S. patent application Ser. No. ______,entitled “Ear Warmer With Fabric Member,” filed Jul. 3, 2008, AttorneyDocket No. 0100.0020C2, and to U.S. patent application Ser. No. ______,entitled “Ear Warmer With Fabric Member,” filed Jul. 3, 2008, AttorneyDocket No. 0100.0020C4, the disclosure of each of which is incorporatedby reference in its entirety. This application is also related topending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/693,607, entitled “EarWarmer having a Curved Portion,” filed Oct. 27, 2003, Attorney DocketNo. 0100.0020C1, related to pending U.S. patent application Ser. No.11/754,327, filed May 28, 2007, Attorney Docket No. 0100.0022C1,entitled “Ear Warmer Having a Membrane Forming a Receptacle,” which is acontinuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/638,554, entitled“Ear Warmer Having a Membrane Forming a Receptacle,” Attorney Docket No.GRAY033/00US, filed Aug. 12, 2003, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,222,373; andrelated to pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/688,712, filedMar. 20, 2007, Attorney Docket No. 0100.0021C1, entitled “Ear WarmerWith a Speaker System,” which is a continuation of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 10/638,553, entitled “Ear Warmer With a SpeakerSystem,” Attorney Docket No. GRAY031/00US, filed Aug. 12, 2003, now U.S.Pat. No. 7,212,645; the disclosure of each of which is incorporatedherein by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates generally to ear warmers, and in particular toear warmers that have a frame and are configured to extend around a backof a user's head.

Conventional ear warmers extend over a top of a user's head. Such aconventional ear warmer typically has a frame and a layer of fabric oneach side of an ear portion of the frame. These layers of fabric and theframe itself typically have a weight appropriate for sedentaryoutdoor-activities, but not for non-sedentary outdoor-activities such asrunning or jogging. In other words, when participating in certainoutdoor activities, the participant desires apparel that keeps him orher warm while minimizing the weight of such apparel. While capable ofkeeping the user warm, conventional ear warmers do not have such desiredminimal weight.

Thus, a need exists for an ear warmer that is lightweight while stillproviding warmth to the user.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An ear warmer comprises a frame and a fabric member. The frame has anear portion and a band portion. The ear portion of the frame includes afirst side and a second side opposite the first side. The first side ofthe ear portion defines an interior portion of an opening. The secondside of the ear portion defines an exterior portion of the opening. Thefabric member includes at least its own ear portion coupled to a portionof the frame. In one embodiment, the ear portion of the fabric membercovers the interior portion of the opening in substantially itsentirety. In one embodiment, the ear portion of the fabric member coversless than an entirety of the exterior portion of the opening.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an ear warmer in an expandedconfiguration according to an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 2 is a front perspective view of the frame of the ear warmerillustrated in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a front view of the frame of the ear warmer illustrated inFIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a rear view of the frame of the ear warmer illustrated in FIG.2.

FIG. 5 is a top view of the frame of the ear warmer illustrated in FIG.2.

FIG. 6 is a bottom view of the frame of the ear warmer illustrated inFIG. 2.

FIG. 7 is a right side view of the frame of the ear warmer illustratedin FIG. 2.

FIG. 8 is left side view of the frame of the ear warmer illustrated inFIG. 2.

FIG. 9 is a rear perspective view of the frame of the ear warmerillustrated in FIG. 2.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the frame of the ear warmer illustratedin FIG. 2 in a collapsed configuration.

FIG. 11 is a top view of the frame of the ear warmer illustrated in FIG.2 in a collapsed configuration.

FIG. 12 is a side view of the frame of the ear warmer illustrated inFIG. 2 in a collapsed configuration.

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of an ear portion of the frame of the earwarmer illustrated in FIG. 2.

FIG. 14 is a top view of the ear portion illustrated in FIG. 13.

FIG. 14A is a front perspective view of the ear portion illustrated inFIG. 13.

FIG. 15 is a front view of the ear portion illustrated in FIG. 13.

FIG. 16 is a rear view of the ear portion illustrated in FIG. 13.

FIG. 17 is a perspective view of a band portion of the frame of the earwarmer illustrated in FIG. 2.

FIG. 18 is a top view of the band portion illustrated in FIG. 17.

FIG. 19 is a bottom view of the band portion illustrated in FIG. 17.

FIG. 20 is a front view of the band portion illustrated in FIG. 17.

FIG. 21 is a side view of the band portion illustrated in FIG. 17.

FIG. 21A is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of a bandportion of a frame according to an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 21B is a top view of an alternative embodiment of a band portion ofa frame according to an embodiment of the invention.

FIGS. 22-23 are perspective views of frames according other embodimentsof the invention.

FIG. 24 is a side view of an ear portion according to another embodimentof the invention.

FIG. 25 is a side view of an ear portion according to another embodimentof the invention.

FIG. 26 is a side view of a portion of an ear warmer according to anembodiment of the invention.

FIGS. 26A and 26B are partial cross-sectional views of an embodiment ofa portion of an ear warmer according to an embodiment of the invention.

FIGS. 27 and 28 are a side view and cross-section view along line 28-28,respectively, of a portion of an ear warmer having a press-fitconnection, according to an embodiment of the invention.

FIGS. 29 and 30 are a side view and cross-section view along line 30-30,respectively, of a portion of an ear warmer having a press-fitconnection, according to another embodiment of the invention.

FIGS. 31 and 32 are a side view and cross-section view along line 32-32,respectively, of a portion of an ear warmer having a tongue-and-grooveconnection, according to an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 33 is a side view of a portion of an ear warmer having a clip-onconnection, according to an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 34 is a side view of a portion of an ear warmer having a fabricmember, according to an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 35 is a side view of a portion of an ear warmer having a fabricmember, according to another embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 36 is a side view of a portion of an ear warmer having a fabricmember, according to another embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 37 is a side view of a portion of the ear warmer having a fabricmember, according to another embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 38 is a perspective assembly view of the portion of the ear warmershown in FIG. 37.

FIG. 39 is a perspective view of a portion of an ear warmer having afabric member covering at least a portion of the inner side of theframe, according to an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 40 is a perspective view a portion of an ear warmer having a fabricmember covering at least a portion of the inner side of the frame,according to another embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 41 is a perspective view a portion of an ear warmer having a fabricmember and a support member, according to another embodiment of theinvention.

FIG. 42 is a perspective view of a frame of an ear warmer according toan embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 43 is a rear view of the frame illustrated in FIG. 42.

FIG. 44 is a front view of the frame illustrated in FIG. 42.

FIG. 45 is a right side view of the frame illustrated in FIG. 42.

FIG. 46 is left side view of the frame illustrated in FIG. 42.

FIG. 47 is a top view of the frame illustrated in FIG. 42.

FIG. 48 is a bottom view of the frame illustrated in FIG. 42.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

An ear warmer comprises a frame and a fabric member. The frame has anear portion and a band portion. The ear portion of the frame includes afirst side and a second side opposite the first side. The first side ofthe ear portion defines an interior portion of an opening. The secondside of the ear portion defines an exterior portion of the opening. Thefabric member includes at least its own ear portion coupled to a portionof the frame. In one embodiment, the ear portion of the fabric membercovers the interior portion of the opening in substantially itsentirety. In one embodiment, the ear portion of the fabric member coversless than an entirety of the exterior portion of the opening. The term“less than an entirety” should be understood to mean that the fabricmember covers some of the exterior portion of the opening or none of theexterior portion of the opening.

An ear warmer 100 according to an embodiment of the invention isillustrated in FIG. 1. In this embodiment, the ear warmer 100 includes aframe 110 and two fabric members 230 and 250. The ear warmer 100 isdisposable in an expanded configuration and in a collapsedconfiguration. The frame 110 of the ear warmer 100 includes a first earportion 130, a second ear portion 190 and a band portion 200. In thisembodiment, fabric member 250 is coupled to the first ear portion 130.Similarly, fabric member 230 is coupled to the second ear portion 190.The fabric members 230 and 250 can be fixedly or removably coupled tothe respective ear portions. Various techniques for coupling of thefabric members 230 and 250 are discussed below in detail.

In an alternative embodiment, the frame 110 can be a single piece ofmaterial in which the first ear portion 130, the second ear portion 190and the band portion 200 are formed monolithically (i.e., unitaryconstruction). In another embodiment, the band portion 200 can beadjustable in length. In another embodiment, the first ear portion 130and the second ear portion 190 can be fixedly coupled to the bandportion 200.

An embodiment of a single-piece frame is illustrated in FIG. 22. In thisembodiment, the frame 270 includes a band portion 272, a first earportion 274 and a second ear portion 276. The first ear portion 274 andthe second ear portion 276 are not collapsible with respect to the bandportion 272. The frame 270 can have an expanded configurationcorresponding to a position on the user's head and an unexpandedconfiguration corresponding to a position off the user's head. The frame270 can have an inward bias that defines the unexpanded configuration.Although the user's head is not shown, FIG. 22 shows the frame 270 inthe expanded configuration. In alternative embodiments, the position ofear portions 274 and 276 in the expanded and unexpanded configurationscan differ from that shown in FIG. 22.

An embodiment of an alternative frame is illustrated in FIG. 23. In thisembodiment, the frame 280 has unitary construction including a bandportion 284, a first ear portion 286 and a second ear portion 288. Thefirst ear portion 286 has an end portion 287 that couples to the bandportion 284. The second ear portion 288 has an end portion 289 thatcouples to the band portion 284. In this embodiment, the ends 287 and289 are wrapped around the band portion 284.

FIGS. 2 through 9 illustrate the frame 110 of the ear warmer 100 in anexpanded configuration. FIGS. 10 through 12 illustrate the frame 110 ofthe ear warmer 100 in a collapsed configuration. The frame 110 includesa band portion 200, a first ear portion 130 coupled to the band portion200, and a second ear portion 190 coupled to the band portion 200.

As illustrated in FIGS. 2 through 9 and 17 through 21, the band portion200 is configured to extend around the back of a user's head. The bandportion 200 includes a middle portion 203, a first end portion 202, anda second end portion 204. The band portion 200 has an inner side 206(the side that is disposed adjacent a user when the ear warmer is wornby the user), an outer side 208 (the side opposite the inner side anddistal from a user when the ear warmer is worn by the user), an upperside 210 (the side that faces up when the ear warmer is worn by a user),and a lower side 212 (the side that faces down when the ear warmer isworn by a user).

In one embodiment the band portion 200 varies in a height dimension andhas a substantially tapered shape (see FIG. 4). As illustrated in FIG.4, the middle portion 203 of the band portion 200 is of a lesser heightor thickness than either of the first end portion 202 of the bandportion 200 and the second end portion 204 of the band portion 200. Inan alternative embodiment, the band portion 200 has a constant height orthickness.

Referring to FIGS. 17-21, the first end portion 202 of the band portion200 includes a first coupling portion 218 configured to be coupled tothe first ear portion 130 of the frame 110. Similarly, the second endportion 204 of the band portion 200 includes a second coupling portion220 configured to be coupled to the second ear portion 190 of the frame110. In this embodiment, the first coupling portion 218 and the secondcoupling portion 220 are substantially similar in function and structurewith the exception that they are reverse images of each other.Therefore, only the first coupling portion 218 of the band member 200will be discussed in detail. In alternative embodiments, the couplingportions may have different configurations and/or structures.

As illustrated in FIGS. 17 and 18, the first coupling portion 218includes an end surface 214 of the band portion 200 and includes distalend 222. The distal end 222 of the first coupling portion 218 has amounting structure and defines a planar surface (also referred to hereinas the “oblique plane”). Although in one embodiment the mountingstructure is cylindrical in shape, the mounting structure need not becylindrical in shape. The coupling portion and mounting structure may beof any shape, such as cubic or rectangular.

Referring to FIG. 20, the oblique plane is oblique to the surfacesdefined by the upper side 210 and lower side 212 of the band portion200. Additionally, as illustrated in FIG. 19, the oblique plane isoblique to the surfaces defined by the inner side 206 proximate thecoupling portion 218 and the outer side 208 of the band portion 200proximate the coupling portion 218.

In one embodiment, the oblique plane enables the ear portion to moveupwardly and inwardly to a collapsed configuration as described below.In an alternative embodiment, the end surface of the band portion is atan oblique plane with respect to only one side of the band portion.Alternatively, the end surface of the band portion can be substantiallyperpendicular to the outer surface of the band portion.

In one embodiment, the frame, including the band portion and the earportions, is made of a single material. In another embodiment, the frameis made of polypropylene. In alternative embodiments, the frame is madeof a thermoplastic resin material, such as Crastin® sold by DuPont, orGrillamid®.

In an alternative embodiment, the band portion 200 includes a recess 207(see FIG. 17). In this embodiment, the band portion 200 is made of afirst material 201 and a second material 219 (see FIG. 17). The secondmaterial 219 may be any material that increases friction contact. Also,the second material 219 can be any material that can distribute theforce of the ear warmer 100 when retained on the user. In the embodimentshown in FIG. 17, the second material extends for less than the entireheight of the band portion. In alternative embodiments, the secondmaterial can be on the inside of the band portion only, the inside andoutside of the band portion, or the outside of the band portion only.Alternatively, the second material can be disposed in two or moreseparate locations on the band portion. In an alternative embodiment,the second material extends across an entire width of the band portion.In one embodiment, the first material 201 is a plastic material and thesecond material 219 is a rubber material. Although the band portion ofthe frame is illustrated as being elongated, the band portion need notbe elongated in shape.

Referring to FIG. 17, the coupling portion 218 is illustrated anddescribed in detail. In this embodiment, the coupling portions 218 and220 are substantially the same. Accordingly, only coupling portion 218is described in detail. It is to be understood that alternativeembodiments of the band portion to not necessarily need to have all ofthe features and/or structures discussed with respect to couplingportion 218. In other words, alternative coupling portions can have anycombination of the structures.

Referring to FIG. 17, the coupling portion 218 includes a mountingstructure 218 a that in substantially cylindrical in shape. The mountingstructure 218 a has a lower surface that can include one or morerecesses or notches 218 d, the function of which is described later. Themounting structure 218 a also includes a center shoulder 218 b that hasan opening 218 c that is configured to receive a connector, such as ascrew.

In one embodiment, the end of the band portion 200 includes a first endsurface 221 a and a second end surface 221 b that is proximate tosurface 221 a. The surfaces 221 a and 221 b are offset and at an anglewith respect to each other. The configuration of surfaces 221 a and 221b assist with the movement of the ear portion with respect to the bandportion. In an alternative embodiment, surfaces 221 a and 221 b aredisposed in the same plane. As described below, surfaces 221 a and 221 bform contact surfaces that limit the rotation of the ear portionrelative to the band. The end of the band portion 200 also includesanother surface 221 a and a shoulder 221 d adjacent surface 221 c. Thesurface 221 c and shoulder 221 d form an abutment that is contacted bythe ear portion to limit the rotation of the ear portion with respect tothe band portion 200. In an alternative embodiment, the band portiondoes not include a surface and shoulder as previously described.

In one embodiment, the band portion includes a coupler that isconfigured to removably couple a label, such as a brand label, to theband portion. In one embodiment, the coupler is disposed at the rear ofthe band portion. In alternative embodiments, the coupler is disposed ona side of the band portion, for example near the portion of the band,which couples to the ear portion, or at any other location on the bandportion.

An alternative embodiment of the band portion is illustrated in FIGS.21A and 21B. In this embodiment, a band portion 200′ includes supportmembers 202′ disposed on the inner surface 204′ of the band portion200′. Support members 202′ are configured to provide added strength andsupport to the band portion 200′.

An embodiment of an ear portion is illustrated in FIGS. 13-16. In thisembodiment, the first ear portion 130 of the frame 110 and the secondear portion 190 of the frame 110 are substantially similar in functionand structure. Therefore, only the first ear portion 130 is discussed indetail.

As illustrated in FIGS. 13 through 16, the first ear portion 130 of theframe 110 defines an opening 134 and a center point 152. The first earportion 130 includes a proximal end portion 156, which includes aproximal end point 136 (the portion and point being proximate to thecoupling of the first ear portion 130 and the band portion 200); adistal end portion 158, which includes a distal end point 138 (theportion and point being distal from the coupling of the first endportion 130 and the band portion 200); an uppermost portion 160, whichincludes an uppermost point 140 (the portion and point being uppermostwhen the ear warmer is disposed in an expanded configuration on a user);and a lowermost portion 162, which includes a lowermost point 142 (theportion and point being lowermost when the ear warmer is disposed in anexpanded configuration on a user).

Although points on the first ear portion 130 have been identified asbeing proximal, distal, uppermost, and lowermost, it should beunderstood that there may be, for example, several uppermost points ofthe first ear portion. In such a case, the “uppermost point” includesthe several points. The same is true for the proximal, distal, andlowermost points. In addition, the terms proximal, distal, uppermost,and lowermost are used for convenient reference with respect to theorientation shown in FIGS. 2 through 9 and 13 through 16. It should beunderstood that these locations of the frame are still applicableregardless of the orientation of the frame at any given time.

As illustrated in FIGS. 13 and 15, a portion 137 of the first earportion 130 of the frame 110 is disposed between the proximal end point136 and the uppermost point 140 and has a first part 137′ and a secondpart 137″. From a side view of the first ear portion 130 (see FIG. 13),the first part 137′ of the portion 137 has a convex configuration withrespect to the center point 152. Similarly, a portion 143 of the firstear portion 130 of the frame 110 is disposed between the lowermost point142 and the proximal end point 136. The portion 143 has a first part143′ and a second part 143″. From a side view, the first part 143′ ofthe portion 143 has a convex configuration with respect to the centerpoint 152. In other words, at least a portion of each of the portions137 and 143 of the first ear portion 130 bend or curve away from thecenter point 152. The location and number of inflection points inportions 137 and 143 can vary along the ear portion.

From a side view of the first ear portion 130, the portion 139 of thefirst ear portion 130 of the frame 110 that is disposed between theuppermost point 140 and the distal end point 138 has a concaveconfiguration with respect to the center point 152. Similarly, theportion 141 of the first ear portion 130 of the frame 110 that isdisposed between the distal end point 138 and the lowermost point 142has a concave configuration with respect to the center point 152. Inother words, at least a portion of each of the portions 139 and 141 ofthe first ear portion 130 bend toward the center point 152. Inalternative embodiments one or both of the portions 139 and 141 caninclude a concave portion or section and a convex portion or section,relative to the center point.

Referring to FIG. 14, the first ear portion 130 includes an inner side144 (the side that is disposed adjacent a user when the ear warmer isworn by the user), an outer side 146 (the side opposite the inner sideand distal from a user when the ear warmer is worn by the user), anupper side 148 (the side that faces up when the ear warmer is worn by auser), and a lower side 150 (see FIG. 13) (the side that faces down whenthe ear warmer is worn by a user). The inner side 144 of the first earportion 130 defines an interior portion or region of the opening 134.Similarly, the outer side 146 of the first ear portion 130 defines anexterior portion or region of the opening 134.

As illustrated in FIG. 14, the inner side 144 of the first ear portion130 of the frame 110 has an innermost surface 154. The innermost surface154 is the portion of the inner side 144 of the first ear portion 130directly adjacent a user's head when the ear warmer 100 is worn by theuser. Referring to FIG. 14, a top view of a two-dimensional projectionof the innermost surface 154 is a curved line that curves around a pointA, which is disposed on the inner side of the first ear portion 130. Inother words, the first ear portion 130 is curved such the distal endportion 158 is configured to be disposed closer to a user's head, or toplace more pressure on the user's head (if the entire portion of theframe is contacting the user's head), than a mid-point of the innermostsurface 154 when the ear warmer 100 is worn by the user. This is due tothe fact that the curvature of the user's head may be different from thecurvature of the ear portion. Said another way, the frame 110 isconfigured to apply lateral forces to the user's head inwardly where theforces are greatest at the distal end portion 158.

In one embodiment, the distal end portion 158 of the frame 110 isflexible. Thus, the lateral force of the distal end portion 158 againsta user's head causes the distal end portion to bend or flex and, thus,to better fit along the user's head. In an alternative embodiment, thefirst ear portion is curved such that the distal end portion of thefirst ear portion is configured to be disposed closer to a user's headthan the proximal end portion of the first ear portion when the earwarmer is worn by the user. In a further alternative embodiment, theportion of the innermost surface disposed between the proximal endportion and the distal end portion does not have a curved shape.

As illustrated in FIG. 14 a, a two-dimensional projection of a frontview of the innermost surface 154 is a curved line that has three radiiof curvature. Specifically, the two-dimensional projection has a firstpart that bends or curves around point B, a second part that bends orcurves around part C, and a third part that bends or curves around pointD.

In the illustrated embodiment, the distal end portion 138 is curved suchthat a center portion of the distal end portion 138 is configured to bedisposed closer to a user's head than the remaining portions of thedistal end portion 138 when the ear warmer is worn by a user. In analternative embodiment, the uppermost portion is configured to bedisposed closer to the user's head than the lowermost portion when theear warmer is worn by the user. In a further alternative embodiment, thefirst ear portion is curved such that the lowermost portion isconfigured to be disposed closer to the user's head than the uppermostportion when the ear warmer is worn by the user.

Although the first ear portion 130 is described and illustrated ashaving a particular shape, in other embodiments, the first ear portionhas different shapes. Additionally, in one embodiment, the first earportion is made of a plastic material. In an alternative embodiment, thefirst ear portion is made of another material, such as a metal.

The first ear portion 130 has an abutting and complimentary fit with theband portion 200. More specifically, returning to FIG. 13, the first earportion 130 includes coupling portion 164 that extends from an endsurface 166 of the first ear portion 130. The coupling portion 164includes a distal end 165 that defines a surface 165 a. In oneembodiment, the surface 165 a includes one or more ridges or protrusions165 b that engage the recesses 218 d as the ear portion rotates. Thecoupling portion 164 is received in structure 218 a. In one embodiment,the end portion of the first ear portion 130 includes surfaces 167 a and167 b that compliment and engage surfaces 221 a and 221 b on the bandportion 200 when the ear portion 130 is in its collapsed configuration.The end portion also includes a protrusion 167 c with a contact surface167 d that engages the surface 221 c and shoulder 221 d to form asecondary stop to limit the rotation of the ear portion. In alternativeembodiments, the ear portion does not include protrusion 167 c and bandportion 200 does not include the surface 221 c and shoulder 221 d. Asillustrated in FIG. 20, the surface defined by the distal end 222 of thecoupling portion 218 of the band portion 200 abuts the surface definedby the distal end 165 of the coupling portion 164. Also, the end surface214 of the band portion 200 of the frame 110 abuts the end surface 166of the first end portion 130. In other words, the band portion 200 abutsthe first ear portion 130 and has surfaces, including the surfacedefined by the distal end 222 of the coupling portion 218 and the endsurface 214 of the band portion 200, that fit complimentary to surfacesof the first end portion 130, including the surface defined by thedistal end 165 of the coupling portion 164 and the end surface 166 ofthe first ear portion 130, when the first ear portion 130 is in itscollapsed configuration.

Because of abutting and complimentary fit of the band portion 200 andthe first ear portion 130, the transition between the outer surface 208of the band portion 200 and the outer surface 146 of the first earportion 130 is a smooth transition or a substantially smooth transition.In other words, the outer surface 208 of the band portion 200 and theouter surface 146 of the first ear portion 130 form a substantiallycontinuous surface when the ear warmer is in the expanded configuration.With the exception of the inner surface, the same is true for theremaining surfaces of the band portion 200 and the first ear portion130. Specifically, the upper surface 210 of the band portion 200 and theupper surface 148 of the first ear portion 130 form a substantiallycontinuous surface. The lower surface 212 of the band portion 200 andthe lower surface 150 of the first ear portion 130 form a substantiallycontinuous surface.

In one embodiment, the coupling portions of the ear portion and the bandportion is located on the inner surface. In an alternative embodiment,the inner surface of the ear portion and the inner surface of the bandportion form a substantially continuous surface. Alternatively, thecoupling portions of the band portion and the ear portion are located atdifferent locations.

The substantially continuous surface formed by the upper surface 210 ofthe band portion 200 and the upper surface 148 of the first ear portion130 extends from the first ear portion 130 to the second ear portion190. The substantially continuous surfaces formed by the lower, upper,and inner surfaces of the band portion 210 and the first ear portion 130also extend to the respective surfaces of the second ear portion. Thus,the upper surface of the ear warmer 100, the lower surface of the earwarmer 100, and the outer surface of the ear warmer 100 collectivelyform a smooth contour. In alternative embodiments any combination of thecorresponding surface, outer surface, upper surface and lower surface ofany of the frame components can form a substantially continuous surface.

In one embodiment, a screw (not illustrated) is used to pivotally couplethe first ear portion 130 to the band portion 210. A first end of thescrew extends from the inner side 144 of the first ear portion 130 and asecond end of the screw is disposed within the band portion 200 and isnot outwardly visible. In other words, only a single end of the screw isexposed (i.e., disposed outside of the frame 110 of the ear warmer 100).In alternative embodiments, a rivet, a pin, a brad, or any othercoupling device is used to pivotally couple the ear portions 130 and 190to the band portion 200.

FIGS. 10 though 12 illustrate the frame 110 of the ear warmer 100 in acollapsed configuration. The first ear portion 130 and the second earportion 190 are disposed adjacent to and substantially within the sameplane 195 as the band portion 200 when the frame 110 is in its collapsedconfiguration. The coupling arrangement between the band portion 200 andthe ear portions (as described in detail above) allow the ear portions130 and 190 to pivot into and out of the collapsed configuration. Asillustrated in FIG. 12, the ear warmer 100 has a low profile when in itscollapsed configuration. In one embodiment, the oblique plane defined bythe band portion 200 allows the ear portion 130 and 190 to move in a waythat contributes to this overall low profile. For example, the obliqueplane allows the ear portions to rotate about the pivot connection whilebeing substantially within or proximate the same plane as the bandportion 200.

Ear warmer 100 is configured to allow a predetermined range of motionbetween the expanded configuration and the collapsed configuration. Inone embodiment, this range of motion does not include movement from theexpanded configuration to a different collapsed configuration, forexample, where the ear portions of the frame are disposed on a side ofthe band opposite from their position in the collapsed configurationwithin the range of motion. In one embodiment, two different mechanismseach produce a respective stop that defines a respective end point ofthe range of motion (as discussed below).

In an alternative embodiment, the ear portions can rotate continuouslyand are not limited to a particular range. Alternatively, the earportions can be slidably coupled to the band portion, or can rotateabout another axis than that described above.

As illustrated in FIGS. 22 and 23, it is not necessary that the frame beseparate items. In FIGS. 22 and 23, the frames 270 and 280,respectively, are of a unitary or monolithic structure. In theseembodiments, the band portions 272 and 286, respectively, do not haveadjustable lengths. In a further alternative embodiment, the bandportion is an adjustable band. In yet a further alternative embodiment,the band portion of the frame includes several different and separateitems.

Alternative embodiments of ear portions are illustrated in FIGS. 24 and25. In these embodiments, the ear portions may be formed of a firstmaterial and a second material that is different than the firstmaterial. In FIGS. 24 and 25, the ear portions 290 and 291,respectively, are made of a first material 292 and a second material294. For example, the first material 292 may be any type of plastic andthe second material 294 may be any type of resilient material, such asrubber. The resilient material 294 provides for an increased grippingsurface for contact with the user or other article. The resilientmaterial 294 also increases the distribution of the application ofclamping or gripping force of the ear warmer on the user's head. In FIG.24, the second material extends an entire width of a portion of the earportion 290, whereas in FIG. 25, the second material only extends acrossa portion of width of a portion of the ear portion 292.

In alternative embodiments, the recess or opening in the ear portion inwhich the second material is disposed can have any size orconfiguration. The location of the recess or opening for the secondmaterial can vary along the ear portion. As previously discussed, theband portion of an ear warmer can also include a portion of a firstmaterial and a portion of a second material that is different from thefirst material.

As illustrated in FIG. 1, the ear warmer 100 includes fabric members 230and 250. The fabric members 230 and 250 are coupled to the frame 110 ofthe ear warmer 100. The fabric members 230 and 250 are configured tosubstantially cover at least a portion of the ear portions 130 and 190of the ear warmer 100. Various configurations of the fabric members aredescribed below.

FIG. 26 shows a side view of a portion of an ear warmer according to anembodiment of the invention. In this embodiment, the frame 310 includesan ear portion 330. A fabric member 350 is fixedly coupled to the earportion 330 of the frame 310. For example, the fabric member 350 can befixedly coupled to the ear portion 330 of the frame 310 by any techniqueor method, including radio frequency (RF) welding, ultrasonic welding,or an adhesive such as glue. For example, the perimeter portion 352 ofthe fabric member 350 can be fixedly coupled to or proximate to theperimeter portion 332 of the ear portion 330 of the frame 310. The term“perimeter portion” is intended herein to include the perimeter or aportion offset from and proximate to the perimeter of a membrane, memberor portion. Following the example shown in FIG. 26, a weld, adhesive orconnector can be located along the actual perimeter of the fabric member350 and a portion of the ear portion 330 of the frame 310 offset fromand proximate to the perimeter of the ear portion 330.

In another embodiment, the fabric member includes binding coupled alongat least a portion of the perimeter of the fabric member. In such anembodiment, the binding can be coupled to the frame using the techniquesidentified above. Alternatively, the fabric member can be coupled to theframe. In this embodiment, the binding provides additional support andcushioning to the user. Additionally, the binding provides a sealbetween the ear warmer and a user's head.

Referring to FIGS. 26A and 26B, which are partial cross-sectional views,an embodiment of an ear portion is illustrated. In this embodiment, theframe 6000, such as an ear portion, includes a fabric member 6050coupled thereto. In one embodiment, fabric member 6050 includes abinding 6100 coupled thereto in any conventional manner. For example,the binding 6100 can be stitched or sewn to the fabric member 6050 byseam 6200. Fabric member 6050 can be coupled to the frame member 6000using any conventional technique, including an adhesive, welding, suchas RF or ultrasonic welding, or the like. In one embodiment, the binding6100 is configured so that a portion of it is disposed adjacent to theinnermost surface of the frame member 6000. The binding 6100 providesadded cushioning, which provides a more comfortable fit. The binding6100 also provides a better seal against a user's head to improvetemperature control by preventing external air from entering any spacebetween the ear portion and the user's head. In an alternativeembodiment, the binding can be replaced by another piece of fabricmaterial, a piece of foam, or any other structure that would assist withthe cushioning and sealing functions above.

FIGS. 27 through 32 show examples of a fabric member that can beremovably coupled to the ear portion of the frame. Although thesefigures show the fabric member being removably coupled to the earportion of frame via press-fit connections, tongue-and-grooveconnections, clip-on connections and slide-and-lock connections, othertypes of the removable connections are also possible. In other words,FIGS. 27 through 32 merely provide examples of removable connections andother types of removable connections are possible.

FIGS. 27 and 28 show a side view and cross-section view along line 28-28in FIG. 27, respectively, of a portion of an ear warmer 400 having apress-fit connection, according to an embodiment of the invention. Earwarmer 400 includes a frame 410 that has an ear portion 430. As shown inFIG. 27, the fabric member 450 can be fixedly coupled to an attachmentmember 460 along a portion of the perimeter of the fabric member 450. Inthis embodiment, the attachment member 460 can be made of, for example,plastic defining an opening 462 along its length and directed inwardly.As shown in FIG. 28, the opening 462 is configured such that theattachment member 460 forms a press fit over a portion of the perimeter432 of the ear portion 430 of the frame 410. This configuration allowsthe fabric member 450 to be removably attached to the ear portion 430 ofthe frame 410. To fit over the outer side of the perimeter 432 of theear portion 430 of the frame 410, the fabric member 450 can be made froman elastic material that is stretched when the fabric member 450 andattachment member 460 are coupled onto the ear portion 430 of the frame410. Alternatively, the fabric member 450 can be larger than the earportion 430 of the frame 410 so that the fabric member 450 can extendover the perimeter 432 of the ear portion 430 of the frame 410 whenbeing configured onto the ear portion 430 of the frame 410.

FIGS. 29 and 30 show a side view and cross-section view along line 30-30in FIG. 29, respectively, of a portion of an ear warmer 500 having apress-fit connection, according to another embodiment of the invention.The ear warmer 500 includes a frame 510 that has an ear portion 530.Similar to that embodiment shown in FIGS. 27 and 28, in FIG. 30, thefabric member 550 can be fixedly coupled to an attachment member 560along a portion of the perimeter of the fabric member 550. In thisembodiment, however, the opening 562 defined by the attachment member560 along its length is directed outwardly. As shown in FIG. 30, theopening 562 has a size such that the attachment member 560 forms a pressfit along a portion of the ear portion 530 of the frame 510. Inparticular, the ear portion 530 of the frame 510 defines an interiorregion defined by a perimeter. The attachment member 560 removablyattaches the fabric member 550 to a portion of this perimeter of theinterior region. The attachment member 560 has sufficient strength andrigidity so that the attachment member 560 is inserted or “popped” intoan opening defined in the ear portion 530.

FIGS. 31 and 32 show a side view and cross-section view along line 32-32in FIG. 31, respectively, of a portion of an ear warmer 600 having atongue-and-groove connection, according to an embodiment of theinvention. In this embodiment, the ear warmer 600 includes a frame 610that has an ear portion 630. As shown in FIG. 32, the fabric member 650can be coupled (e.g., fixedly coupled) to an attachment member 660 alonga portion of the perimeter of the fabric member 650. In this embodiment,the attachment member 660 has a surface with a groove structure formedtherein, and complimentary fits onto or receives the tongue-like portion632 of the ear portion 630 of the frame 610. This mating of theattachment member 660 and the ear portion 630 allows the fabric member650 to be removably attached to the ear portion 630 of the frame 610.The tongue-like portion 632 of the ear portion 630 of the frame 610 canbe monolithically formed with the remaining portions of the ear portion630 of the frame 610. Alternatively, a tongue-like member can be coupled(e.g., fixedly coupled) to the ear portion of the frame by welding or anadhesive. In another alternative embodiment, the tongue-like structurecan be coupled (e.g., fixedly coupled) to the fabric member and thegroove-like structure can be disposed on the ear portion or the frame,for example, either fixedly coupled to or monolithically formed with theear portion of the frame.

FIG. 33 shows a side view of a portion of an ear warmer 700 having aclip-on connection, according to an embodiment of the invention. The earwarmer 700 includes a frame 710 that has an ear portion 730 with aperimeter 732. As shown in FIG. 33, a fabric member 750 can be coupled(e.g., fixedly coupled) to one or more attachment members 760 alongvarious positions of the perimeter of the fabric member 750. Morespecifically, FIG. 33 shows three attachment members 760 although inother embodiments, one, two, four or more than four attachment membersare possible. The various attachment members can be formed integrally orcan be coupled together by different structures. Each of the attachmentmembers 760 shown in FIG. 33 has a clip-like structure that defines anopening 762 along its length and is directed inwardly. These attachmentmembers 760 can be made of any material that allows the attachmentmembers 760 to coupled to the frame, including, for example, plastic ormetal. The opening 762 of each attachment member 760 is configured suchthat it forms a complimentary fit over a portion of the perimeter 732 ofthe ear portion 730 of the frame 710. This mating arrangement of theattachment members 760 and the ear portion 730 allows the fabric member750 to be removably attached to the ear portion 730 of the frame 710.Similar to the embodiment described above in reference to FIGS. 27 and28, to fit of the outer side of the perimeter of the ear portion 730 ofthe frame 710, the fabric member 750 can be made from an elasticmaterial that is stretched when the fabric member 750 and attachmentmembers 760 are coupled onto the ear portion 730 of the frame 710.Alternatively, the fabric member 750 can be larger than the ear portion730 of the frame 710 so that the fabric member 750 can extend over theperimeter 732 of the ear portion 730 of the frame 710 when being coupledonto the ear portion 730 of the frame 710.

FIGS. 34 through 38 show examples of a fabric member removably coupledto the ear portion of the frame by covering substantially an entirety ofthe opening on the inner side of the ear portion of the frame and lessthan an entirety of the opening on the outer side of the ear portion ofthe frame. More specifically, the ear portion of the frame typicallydefines an opening through which sound can pass. This opening has aninterior portion corresponding to the inner side of the ear portion ofthe frame and an exterior portion corresponding to the outer side of theear portion of the frame. As described in more detail in reference toFIGS. 34 through 38, an ear portion of the fabric member can beconfigured such that it covers the interior portion of the openingsubstantially in its entirety and covers the exterior portion of theopening in less than its entirety. Covering the interior portion of theopening “substantially in its entirety” is intended to describeembodiments where the entire interior portion of the opening is coveredexcept for minor exceptions such as, for example, small vents.

FIG. 34 shows a side view of a portion of an ear warmer 800 having afabric member 850, according to an embodiment of the invention. The earwarmer 800 includes a frame 810 that has an ear portion 830. In oneembodiment, the fabric member 850 includes an ear portion with aheat-retaining fabric 852 on the inner side. The ear warmer 800 caninclude an elastic fabric or member 854 on the outer side. In oneembodiment, the elastic fabric 854 is coupled (e.g., fixedly coupled) tothe heat-retaining fabric 852 at three locations. In alternativeembodiments, the elastic or rubber fabric can be coupled to theheat-retaining fabric 852 at any number of locations. In one embodiment,the elastic member 854 can be a clip or snap-on structure that clips orclamps the heat-retaining fabric 852 to the ear portion 830. In analternative embodiment, the elastic member 854 can be a separate piecethat can wrap around the inner side and the outer side of a portion ofthe ear portion 830 and couple the fabric 852 thereto. In anotherembodiment, the heat-retaining fabric 852 and the elastic fabric 854 arecoupled together in a manner other than fixedly coupled, such asremovably coupled.

The fabric member 850 can be removably coupled to the ear portion 830 ofthe frame 810 by stretching the elastic fabric on the outer side of thefabric member 850 so that it can move over the distal end of the earportion 830 of the frame 810. As shown in FIG. 34, the heat-retainingfabric 852 on the inner side of the fabric member 850 covers theinterior portion of the opening of the ear portion 830 of the frame 810substantially in its entirety while the elastic fabric 854 covers theexterior portion of the opening of the ear portion 830 of the frame 810in less than its entirety. Any combination of coupling techniques can beused to couple the fabric member 850 to the ear portion 830.

FIG. 35 shows a side view of a portion of an ear warmer 900 having afabric member 950, according to another embodiment of the invention. Asshown in FIG. 35, the ear portion of the fabric member 950 has aheat-retaining fabric 952 on the inner side, and an elastic fabricportion 954 and a heat-retaining portion 956 on the outer side. Theelastic fabric can be, for example, a rubber material or aheat-retaining fabric. In this particular embodiment, the outer side ofthe fabric member 950 is coupled (e.g., fixedly coupled) to theheat-retaining fabric 952 on the inner side along a portion of theperimeter. Thus, the fabric member 950 can be removably coupled to theear portion 930 of the frame 910 by stretching the elastic fabric 954 onthe outer side of the fabric member 950 so that it can move over thedistal end 932 of the ear portion 930 of the frame 910. In oneembodiment, the fabric 952 and the heat-retaining portion 956 can beformed integrally.

FIG. 36 shows a side view of a portion of an ear warmer 1000 having afabric member 1050, according to another embodiment of the invention.Fabric member 1050 is coupled in a similar manner as fabric member 850described above. As shown in FIG. 36, the ear portion of the fabricmember 1050 has a heat-retaining fabric 1052 and an elastic fabric 1054.The elastic fabric can be, for example, a rubber material or aheat-retaining fabric. In this particular embodiment, the elastic fabric1054 on the outer side is coupled (e.g., fixedly coupled) to theheat-retaining fabric 1032 on the inner side at two locations. Thefabric member 1050 can be removably coupled to the ear portion 1030 ofthe frame 1010 by stretching the elastic fabric 1054 on the outer sideof the fabric member 1050 so that it can move over the distal end 1032of the ear portion 1030 of the frame 1010.

FIG. 37 shows a side view of a portion of the ear warmer 1100 having afabric member 1150, according to another embodiment of the invention.FIG. 38 shows a perspective assembly view of the portion of the earwarmer 1100 shown in FIG. 37. As shown in FIG. 37, the fabric member1150 (one is shown in FIG. 37 for one ear portion of the frame) has aninner side and an outer side. As shown in FIG. 38, the inner side 1152of the fabric member 1150 includes a coupling portion 1154 embodied as abutton hole. The ear portion 1130 of the frame 1110 includes a couplingportion 1132 embodied as a button and post. The coupling portion 1154 ofthe fabric member 1150 is configured to mate with the coupling portion1132 of the ear portion 1130 of the frame 1110 such that the fabricmember 1150 is removably coupled to the ear portion 1130 of the frame1110. As shown in FIGS. 37 and 38, the coupling portion 1132 of theframe 1110 is disposed on the inner side of the frame.

More specifically, the inner side and outer side of the fabric member1150 form a receptacle 1156 into which the distal end 1134 of the earportion 1130 of the frame 1110 can be removably disposed. This side ofthe ear portion of the fabric member 1150 is referred to herein as thedistal end. The proximate end of the fabric member 1150 is alsoremovably coupled to the ear portion 1130 of the frame 1110, asdiscussed above, by the coupling portion 1154 of the fabric member 1150fitting into the coupling portion 1132 of the ear portion 1130 of theframe 1110. Thus, the overall fabric member 1150 can be coupled to theear portion 1130 of the frame 1110 by coupling the distal end of thefabric member 1150 to the distal end 1134 of the ear portion 1130 of theframe 1110, and then coupling the proximate end of the fabric member1150 to the proximate end of the ear portion 1130 of the frame 1110. Thefabric member 1150 can be removed from the frame 1110 by the reverseprocess.

Although the coupling portion 1132 of the ear portion 1130 of the frame1110 is shown in FIGS. 37 and 38 as protruding from the inner side ofthe frame, in alternative embodiments, the coupling portion of the frameextends from a recess in the inner side of the frame. Thus, the distalend of the coupling portion of the frame corresponds to the remaininginner surface of the ear portion of the frame in that region and ingeneral they form a smooth surface having the recess.

In alternative embodiments, the coupling portion of the ear portion ofthe frame and the coupling portion of the ear portion of the fabricmember can be disposed on any part of the frame, including the outerside of the frame. In such an alternative embodiment, the outer side ofthe ear portion of the frame is substantially covered in its entiretyand the inner side of the ear portion of the frame covered in less thanits entirety.

In an alternative embodiment, the ear portion of the frame and the earportion of the fabric member can be coupled together using anyconventional technique, such as hook-and-loop fasteners, snap-fitconnections, and button-and-hole arrangements having the hole on theframe.

FIGS. 39 and 40 show examples of a fabric member removably coupled tothe frame by covering substantially an entirety of the inner side of theframe and less than an entirety of the opening on the outer side of eachear portion of the frame. More specifically, the examples shown in FIGS.39 and 40 show a fabric member that substantially covers the entirety ofthe inner side of the frame including its ear portions and band portionwhile covering less than the entirety of the outer side of the frame.

FIG. 39 shows a perspective view of a portion of an ear warmer 1200having a fabric member 1250 covering the inner side of the frame 1210,according to an embodiment of the invention. As shown in FIG. 39, thefabric member 1250 has an inner-side portion 1252 and an outer-sideportion 1254. The inner-side portion 1252 of the fabric member 1250corresponds to both ear portions 1230 of the frame 1210 (of which onlyone is shown in FIG. 39) and the band portion 1270 of the frame 1210(only a portion of which is shown in FIG. 39). In this embodiment, theouter-side portion 1254 of the fabric member 1250 can be extended overthe distal end of the ear portions 1230 of the frame 1210. Thus, thedistal end of the ear portions 1230 of the frame 1210 can be retained ina receptacle 1256 formed by the inner-side portion 1252 and theouter-side portion 1254 of the fabric member 1230. The outer-sideportion 1252 of the fabric member 1250 can be made of, for example, anelastic fabric that allows the fabric member 1250 to be stretched overthe distal end of the ear portions 1230 of the frame 1210 to insert andremove the frame 1210 from the fabric member 1250. In alternativeembodiments, the fabric members can be bound, sewn, welded, coupledinside out, or monolithically formed (i.e., unitary construction).

FIG. 40 shows a perspective view a portion of an ear warmer 1300 havinga fabric member 1350 covering the inner side of the frame 1310,according to another embodiment of the invention. As shown in FIG. 40,the fabric member 1350 has only an inner-side portion. The inner-sideportion of the fabric member 1350 corresponds to both ear portions 1330of the frame 1310 (of which only one is shown in FIG. 40) and the bandportion 1370 of the frame 1310 (only a portion of which is shown in FIG.40). In this embodiment, the inner-side portion of the fabric member1350 can be fixedly coupled to the frame 1310 as described above inreference to FIG. 26, or can be removably coupled to the frame, forexample, as described above in reference to FIGS. 31 and 32.

Although not explicitly shown in FIGS. 39 and 40, in alternativeembodiments, the fabric member can cover substantially the entirety ofthe inner side of the frame while being removably coupled to the frameas described above, for example, in reference to FIGS. 27 through 30, 33and 38. In a further alternative embodiment, the fabric member can havea first portion that covers one of the ear portions of the frame and asecond portion that covers the other of the ear portions of the frame.In this embodiment, the first portion of the fabric member can becoupled to the second portion of the fabric member via any type ofcoupling device, such as hook and loop configuration.

FIG. 41 shows a perspective view a portion of an ear warmer 1400 havinga fabric member 1450 and a contact member 1470, according to anotherembodiment of the invention. As shown in FIG. 41, the frame 1410includes a contact member 1470 disposed on the inner side 1432 of theear portion 1430 of the frame 1410. The contact member 1470 isconfigured to provide support and comfort to the user of the ear warmer1400 by contacting the portion of the user's head behind the user'sears. Additionally, the contact member 1470 provides a seal between theambient conditions and the user's ear. In other words, the contactmember fills the gap between the frame 1410 of the ear warmer 1400 andthe user's head. In this embodiment, the contact member 1470 extendsalong a portion of the inner side 1432 of the ear portion 1430. Inalternative embodiments, the contact member extends along substantiallythe entire inner side of the ear portion.

In one embodiment, the fabric member includes a receptacle that receivesthe contact member. In alternative embodiments, the contact member isotherwise coupled to the fabric member, such as via an adhesive. In analternative embodiment, the contact member is coupled to another portionof the ear warmer, such as the band portion of the frame.

In one embodiment, the contact member can be made of a preformed foam orrubber material that is covered in fabric. The contact can be slightlydeformed and inserted into the opening of the ear portion. The contactmember is then released and retained via the opening.

In one embodiment, the contact member is a foam material or rubbermaterial that is not covered in fabric. In an alternative embodiment,the contact member is made of a material other than foam. In a furtheralternative embodiment, the contact member is a foam material that iscovered with a material other than fabric.

While the invention has been described in detail and with references tospecific embodiments thereof, it will be apparent to one skilled in theart that various changes and modifications can be made therein withoutdeparting from the spirit and scope thereof. Thus, it is intended thatthe present invention covers the modifications and variations of thisinvention provided they come within the scope of the appended claims andtheir equivalents. For example, although the fabric member is generallydescribed above as being disposed on the inner side of the ear portionof the frame, the fabric member can instead be disposed on the outerside of the ear frame. In some such embodiments, the fabric member cancover substantially an entirety of the opening on the outer side of theear portion of the frame and less than an entirety of the opening on theinner side of the ear portion of the frame.

1. An ear warmer frame, comprising: a band member having an upper side,a lower side, an outer side, and an end portion; and an ear memberhaving an upper side, a lower side, an outer side, and its own endportion, the end portion of the ear member being configured to becoupled to the end portion of the band member, the outer side of theband member and the outer side of the ear member forming a substantiallycontinuous surface.
 2. The ear warmer frame of claim 1, wherein theupper side of the band member and the upper side of the ear member forma substantially continuous surface.
 3. The ear warmer frame of claim 1,wherein the ear member is configured to be disposed in a first positionrelative to the band member and in a second position relative to theband member, the ear warmer frame having a collapsed configuration whenthe ear member is in the first position and a deployed configurationwhen the ear member is in the second position, the band member and theear member forming the substantially continuous surface when the earmember is in the second position.
 4. The ear warmer frame of claim 1,the ear member being a first ear member, the end portion of the bandmember being a first end portion, the band member including a second endportion, the ear warmer frame further comprising: a second ear memberhaving an upper side, a lower side, and an outer side, and its own endportion, the second ear member being configured to be coupled to thesecond end portion of the band member, the outer side of the band memberand the outer side of the second ear member forming a substantiallycontinuous surface.
 5. The ear warmer frame of claim 4, wherein theupper side of the first ear member, the upper side of the second earmember, and the upper side of the band member collectively form asubstantially continuous surface.
 6. The ear warmer frame of claim 5,wherein the outer side of the first ear member, the outer side of thesecond ear member, and the outer side of the band member collectivelyform a substantially continuous surface, and the lower side of the firstear member, the lower side of the second ear member, and the lower sideof the band member collectively form a substantially continuous surface.7. The ear warmer frame of claim 1, the ear member being a first earmember, the end portion of the band member being a first end portion,the band member including a second end portion, the ear warmer framefurther comprising: a second ear member having an upper side, a lowerside opposite its upper side, and an outer side, the second ear memberhaving an end coupled to the second end portion of the band member, theupper side of the band member and the upper side of the second earmember forming a substantially continuous surface, the lower side of theband member and the lower side of the second ear member forming anothersubstantially continuous surface, and the outer side of the band memberand the outer side of the second ear member forming anothersubstantially continuous surface
 8. The ear warmer frame of claim 7,wherein the upper side of the band member, the upper side of the firstear member, the lower side of the first ear member, the lower side ofthe band member, the lower side of the second ear member, and the upperside of the second ear member collectively form a substantiallycontinuous surface and define an outer contour of the ear warmer frame.9. The ear warmer frame of claim 1, wherein the end portion of the bandmember is a first end portion, the band member includes a second endportion, and at least one of the upper side, the lower side, and theouter side of the band member is substantially continuous along the bandmember from the first end portion to the second end portion.
 10. The earwarmer frame of claim 1, wherein the end portion of the band member is afirst end portion, and the band member includes a middle portion and asecond end portion opposite to the first end portion, the first endportion has a height dimension and the middle portion has a heightdimension, the height dimension of the middle portion being less thanthe height dimension of the first end portion.
 11. The ear warmer frameof claim 1, wherein the ear member has a center point, a proximal endportion proximate to the band member and including a proximal end point,a distal end portion including a distal end point, an uppermost portionincluding an uppermost point, and a lowermost portion including alowermost point, a portion of the ear member disposed between theproximal end point and the uppermost point having a convex configurationwith respect to the center point.
 12. The ear warmer frame of claim 11,wherein a portion of the ear member between the distal end point and theuppermost point has a concave configuration with respect to the centerpoint.
 13. The ear warmer frame of claim 12, wherein a portion of theear member between the distal end point and the lowermost point has aconcave configuration with respect to the center point, and a portion ofthe ear member between the lowermost point and the proximal end pointhas a convex configuration with respect to the center point.
 14. An earwarmer, comprising: a band member having an upper surface, a lowersurface, an outer surface, a first end portion, and a second end portionopposite to the first end portion, the band having a substantiallycontinuous upper surface between the first end portion and the secondend portion; and an ear member having an upper surface, a lower surface,an outer surface, and its own end portion, the end portion of the earmember being movably coupled to the first end portion of the bandmember, the ear member being selectively disposable in a collapsedposition relative to the band member and in a deployed position relativeto the band member, and one of the upper surface, the lower surface, andthe outer surface of the band member forming a substantially continuoussurface with a corresponding one of the upper surface, the lowersurface, and the outer surface of the ear member.
 15. The ear warmer ofclaim 14, wherein the upper surface of the band member and the uppersurface of the ear member form a substantially continuous surface. 16.The ear warmer of claim 14, wherein the outer surface of the band memberand the outer surface of the ear member form a substantially continuoussurface, and the lower surface of the band member and the lower surfaceof the ear member form a substantially continuous surface.
 17. The earwarmer of claim 14, wherein the ear warmer has a collapsed configurationwhen the ear member is in the collapsed position and a deployedconfiguration when the ear member is in the deployed position, and theone of the upper surface, the lower surface, and the outer surface ofthe band member that forms the substantially continuous surface with acorresponding one of the upper surface, the lower surface, and the outersurface of the ear member forms the substantially continuous surfacewhen the ear warmer is in the deployed configuration.
 18. The ear warmerof claim 14, further comprising: a fabric member, the fabric memberbeing coupled to the ear member, the substantially continuous surfacedefined by the band member and the ear member being exposed relative tothe fabric member.
 19. An ear warmer, comprising: a band portion, theband portion having an upper surface, a lower surface, and an outersurface, the band portion including a first end portion and a second endportion opposite to the first end portion; and an ear portion, the earportion having an upper surface, a lower surface, and an outer surface,the ear portion including its own end portion, the end portion of theear portion being movably coupled to the first end portion of the bandportion so that that ear portion can be disposed in a first positionrelative to the band portion and in a second position relative to theband portion, the first position being different than the secondposition, the upper surface of the band portion and the upper surface ofthe ear portion forming a substantially continuous surface.
 20. The earwarmer of claim 19, wherein ear portion and band portion are disposablein an expanded configuration and in a collapsed configuration, the uppersurface of the band portion forming the substantially continuous surfacewith the upper surface of the ear portion in the expanded configuration.